Dark desires: the surprising reasons we love TV and movie villains

By Michael Lallo
Updated September 29 2016 - 10:18am, first published September 23 2016 - 2:00pm
We want to see Frank Underwood succeed on House of Cards, despite his villainous nature. Photo: Supplied
We want to see Frank Underwood succeed on House of Cards, despite his villainous nature. Photo: Supplied
Emmy-award winning Orange Is the New Black articulates the experiences of women – deemed as "villains" – who are often oppressed and ignored. Photo: Supplied
Emmy-award winning Orange Is the New Black articulates the experiences of women – deemed as "villains" – who are often oppressed and ignored. Photo: Supplied
Everyday awkwardness helps explain our attraction to screen villains unencumbered by inelegance, such as Claire Underwood in House of Cards. Photo: Supplied
Everyday awkwardness helps explain our attraction to screen villains unencumbered by inelegance, such as Claire Underwood in House of Cards. Photo: Supplied
Margot Robbie as the latest incarnation of Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad. Photo: Supplied
Margot Robbie as the latest incarnation of Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad. Photo: Supplied
Glenn Close, who has built a career playing villains, opposite Rose Byrne in the TV series Damages. Photo: Supplied
Glenn Close, who has built a career playing villains, opposite Rose Byrne in the TV series Damages. Photo: Supplied
James Gandolfini as mob boss Tony Soprano in the ground-breaking HBO drama The Sopranos. Photo: Anthony Neste
James Gandolfini as mob boss Tony Soprano in the ground-breaking HBO drama The Sopranos. Photo: Anthony Neste

Before Netflix released House of Cards, the show's creative team had an argument.